Abstract: An article of clothing is decorated with light-conducting fibers having varying lengths of exposed segments forming a design on the outer surface of the garment with the remainder segments of the fibers being collected on the opposite side of the clothing and gathered into a bundle that is connected to a light source for emitting light into the fibers. A method of making such a decorated garment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shelving system including a plurality of parallel horizontally oriented shelves releasably and securely connected to four upright posts is disclosed. The releasable connection of the shelf to the post is achieved by use of corner connectors which fit into corner notches of the shelf. The corner connector includes a male segment and a female segment which mate to each other and fit into said post at step locator positions along the length of the post. Complimentary tooth and channel configurations of the mated corner connector and the corner notches of the shelf interlock the shelf to the corner connector and then to the post. The shelves are connectable to and releasable from the posts between shelves already mounted on the posts.

Abstract: A support device for bound materials, such as a notebook binder holding pages of computer software documentation, holds the bound materials in two distinct positions. In a first position, front and back covers, along free edges thereof, are received by slots in the support device which hold the front and back covers in a substantially parallel position to each other. The support device is otherwise essentially open so that the entire spine and substantially all of the front and back covers are easily seen. In a second position, one side of the support device includes a pair of angled notches formed therein which receive lower free edges of the front and back covers. Turning the support device onto its other side allows the user of the device to place the binder in the second position, supported in the notches in an open, raised or easel position for easy access and use.

Abstract: A golf club including a grip, shaft and clubhead is modified by a variable flexure mechanism so that the flexibility of the shaft can be changed. The flexure mechanism increases or decreases the shaft flexibility by varying the tension in a wire extending between the club handle and the club head. The wire is held at a spaced relationship from a shaft of the club by a bridge which maximizes the effect of the small changes in tension in the wire, according to movement of a threaded connection between the wire and the club head. Increasing the tension in the flexure adjustment mechanism decreases the flexibility of the shaft and decreasing the tension increases the flexibility of the shaft. The golf club is used in a method to customize golf clubs for a given golfer by first establishing the golfer's clubhead speed and then correlating that clubhead speed to required club flexibility.

Abstract: An air flow control valve for directing air flow within a house or building. The control valve can selectively direct air flow between two alternative air flow paths. The control valve is of generally cylindrical configuration having an open wall portion or an open wall portion and an open base. The cylinder valve is pivotally mounted within a chamber providing air flow communication through ductwork with at least one thermal source area and at least one area of thermal need.

Abstract: A rain cap or protective cover device for an exhaust stack of an internal combustion engine is disclosed that is movable between a standby protective position and an operating position. In the standby position a pair of rearwardly extending arms cause a fairing of the rain cap to cover an outlet of an exhaust stack to which the rain cap is pivotally connected. In the operating position, winglets connected to the arm interact with air flow past the stack to raise the arms and move the fairing to a conformable position about the exhaust stack. The fairing is shaped to aerodynamically interact with the air flow to establish a low pressure area at the outlet of the exhaust stack.

Abstract: A pumping unit for actuating a down hole pump is disclosed for a pumping units of the type wherein a counterweight is mounted on a beam to balance a down hole load consisting substantially of pump rods. One end of the beam includes a static counterweight to balance the other end of the beam about a center pivot point, the other end of the beam including a horsehead connected to the pump rods. A prime mover is mounted on the beam for rotating beam mounted cranks including at a terminal end thereof dynamic counterweights which move in a rotational cycle in conjunction with a pumping cycle of the pumping unit. The dynamic counterweights, at a maximum lever arm from the center pivot point of the beam, counterbalance the fluid being pumped during the work stroke of the pumping unit. As the dynamic counterweight rotates it passes through a minimum lever arm from the center point corresponding to a minimum down hole load.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve, including a balanced operating position when the valve is closed, is disclosed for use for handling pressurized air. The valve includes a valve body having an interior portion with at least one valve seat selectably contacted by a valve seal. The valve seal is mounted upon a longitudinally extending valve stem which is connected at one end to a diaphragm and at the other end slideably connected within the valve body itself. The diaphragm separates an interior portion of the valve into an inlet chamber and an expansion chamber. The valve seat separates the inlet chamber from an outlet chamber, the inlet chamber in communication with the air supply and the outlet chamber in communication with the air destination. The area of the valve seat is of equal area to the diaphragm. The outlet chamber and the expansion chamber are in air communication.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming longitudinally extending bores in food products includes a hollow circular coring knife having a cutting edge formed at a terminal end thereof. Another end of the knife is connected to a connection member rotatively carried by a bearing and which has a passageway formed along the length thereof in communication with the hollow portion of the circular knife. The connection member is rotatively driven by drive means and sealingly connected, at the passageway, to a vacuum source. A retainer structure carries two types of food products, one a relatively larger product in which a larger bore is formed by a knife. The retainer structure is slidable with respect to the knife so that the knife is inserted a predetermined extent of the length of the food product, normally a bun. A second food product, normally a wiener, is also placeable within the retainer structure and bored but at a smaller diameter.

Abstract: An insulating paint for exteriors or interiors of buildings includes glass microspheres or hollow glass extenders, having a density of about 0.22 to 0.28 grams per cubic centimeter, and a diameter of about 100 microns. The microspheres are dispersed by high speed mixing in the grind stage of the paint formulation. The paint provides insulation against heat loss.

Abstract: A light is provided which includes a first, forwardly concave reflector member, a first, forward lamp spaced ahead of the reflector member, and a second rearwardly concave reflector member spaced forward of the lamp. The rear reflector member has a generally parabolic surface and the forward member has a generally arcuate surface. When the lamp is activated, its rays generally travel forward, are reflected off the second reflector member rearward onto the first reflector member, and then forward in a substantially parallel array to provide a spot light. A second lamp is located axially rearward of the first lamp and forward of the first reflector. When this lamp is activated, its rays travel generally laterally, strike the first reflector member, and then are reflected forward in generally random array to provide a flood light. Means are provided to selectively activate either or both of said lamps.

Abstract: A portable light including at least one lamp bulb, a battery and a control circuit for conducting electrical current from the battery to the lamp bulb comprising in combination:an airflow passageway in which said battery, said control circuit, and said lamp bulb are serially mounted, said airflow passage defined at one end by an inlet in airflow communication with the atmosphere and defined at another end by an outlet in airflow communication with the atmosphere, and means for moving air between the inlet and outlet along said air passageway mounted in said air passageway and actuated by said control circuit.

Abstract: A serving tray is disclosed including an upper tray interconnected by a box structure to a lower tray. The upper tray has a flat planar configuration and a bottom surface which is held by the server using the tray. The interconnecting structure extends downwardly to connect to the lower tray which has multiple compartments for storage. An access notch for napkins is provided in the lower tray as is a removable storage receptacle for waste items. The center of gravity of the entire device is below the point where the arm and hand of the server support the upper tray through openings in the interconnecting box structure.

Abstract: A sleigh for travel over a snow covered surface adapted to be disassembled or knocked down into a storage or transport position, from an operating position, is shown. Runners of the sleigh are pivotally connected to a floorboard along side edges thereof. The runners are locked into an operating position and may be unlocked to fold against a bottom surface of the floorboard in a stored position. An upper body including a seat is formed of multiple planar pieces which are dependently interlocked with each other for assembly and later disassembly. Means are provided for interlocking the runners to a hitching assembly to which a horse is conventionally harnessed.